Flexible beading



Sept. 5, 1939. B. J. LEE ET Al.

FLEXIBLE BEADING Filed sept. 10, 193s l'n l su Patented 5,1939

This invention relates toan article ofmanufacture of the character which ning be employed for uphclstering leadlng`.'weatherstripping, general trimming, andthe like, and which for convenience 5 will be' hereinafterreierred to as horrible beading, it being expressly understood, however', that the term as here employed is intended 'to be generic Vto larticles of the' character herein described whether used "for general weatheriu stripping. o r otherwise:

' e beading is the trim- A conimonvuseforming o r weather-stripping of doors, wind shields and 4other openings inthe of an automobile, the primarygiimtion'otthe beading whenc used as i5. weather-stripping being' to 4 assist inlpreventing the 'entrance ofwatrand air into' the car around theelgofthe-fdoor or' other member when the latter is in closed position. Since beadingmt this character' isexposed to view, its appearance-must t also be suchas" to harmonize with'the upholstery in the car.

. 'The iorm oihea'ding now generally used for 25 diametr `and an outeroovering ofsuitnble-woven material which is loosely-mounted on the core and provided with a ilange by which'itmay be secured. in place vat the desired location. 'The' covering is usually made from a. piece of cloth oi '$0 a widthgreater than the circumference of thecore by an amount equal to twice the-width desired for the flange and the clothisslmply wrapped around the core with the 'celex-la ppng portions stitched together to'constitute a iiange. f

In installing of this known form, the iiange must be scour to the car body oaf-other'u structure, as by tacksor nails, in such position vns to hold the beadingv in its desired location.

Howeve'gf', because of `the fact thatthe Bange is 4@ made ot woven or like'materinl and ishence en- Vtirelyneiginginrigint iena-abnitytoheid any erable dimculty-.has been experienced in the in securing this kind of beading in inaccessible places, particularly when '45 it is necessary to insert'theiiange intoaferack or creviceand in holding-the body portion-in -its' proper position after installation, especially where thea'ngemustlie at an angle withl respectlto .the

'50 Other forms of beading have been smested.

butthey'have generally-employed woven material -for the Vsheath :0I the .beadinm A- woven sheath places -a very denitefflimitation "ons fthe use jot A. the`beding-beause sheath. possesses-little 5s extensibility and, n; is' impossible to make '(ci; rel-ss) the beading-follow curves of small radius of curvature or sharply changingcontours without distortion or buklihg, which seriously' interferes both with theappearance and the function of the beading.

`It is-heretofore been proposed to providel Ilexible beading in the form ofv a hollow rubber tube having projecting'radially therefrom,.-an integral nanze, and also to .till the-core olsald tube with spongerubber -andreeni'orce the beading` with textile material, such-as `canvas, either covering the entire exterior surface of the beading or klntexx'iosed between the. spongerubber core and the rubber oi the exterior tube. However, a

canvas sheath coextensive with the exterior sr-y -tace of the beading `or coextensive with theinner face oi the exterior rubber tube substantially prevents. extension of the beading and cames bucklingflorwrinkiing oi'ffthebeading when` passing around curves of small radius or when v`.bent at relatively sharplangles.v .v

It is an. object of this invention to provide a :new and :improved form of ilexible beadingwhich can be installed, evenin relatlvelyinaccessible places, with a minimum of. enort and .without injury to the material. from which' the beading is made and 'without :buckling or wrinkling, leven though .the iiange mayzhave to be at a substantial angle to the body of the beading and even though the contour which the beading isfollowing includes curves of'small radius or relatively .sharpc'ansles- Another object of. this invention is to vprovide improved flexible headingoi' the character referred which possesses 4great embility and at thesame time ample rigidi Another object of this invention is to provideV improved flexible beading of the character ree ferred to which may be stretched longitudinally toaconsiderableextent Another.. object of this invention is to provide improved flexible beading o! .the charlcterref fen-ed to which has a ange that tends to Ahold the. body portion of .the beading elastically against fanopposingsm-face. v Another object of this invention is to provide" .improved .eidble beading of ,the 'character re- Afel'red to which has a angejthatis sumclently nexible to enable its adaptation to positions where `.the-.body portion o fthe beading mustdi'efat an angle to the'fiange'andwhich at the sometime 5o :is 'strong enQBsh to, insure against rupture or tearing at tnefuctien between the body and iiange or at points where nails or through the anse. Another object of this invention is to provide z improved flexible beading of the character referred to which includes a securing flange that permits ready insertion into openings of narrow compass that would materially hinder the installation of prior headings employing flanges of woven or like material.

Another object of this invention is to provide .improved exible 'beading of the character referred to which is of simple construction so that it may be manufactured economically and produced on a quantity basis by a continuous and economical procedure.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved flexible beading of the character referred to which may be temporarily opened to permit removal of a section of the body when desirable to eifect a neat joint but which will remain sealed after it is put in service.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of manufacturing flexible beading whereby the characteristics heretofore referred to may be obtained.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing flexible beading which facilitates giving the beading an exterior finish of desired character and attractive appearance whereby it may harmonize with the surroundings with which it is intended to be used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing flexible beading which provides a ocked surface for the beading that may be readily embossed to give the same a superior nish that is attractive and artistic in character.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

In our earlier application, Serial No. 40,500, led September 13, 1935, for Upholstering beading, we have disclosed'tubular rubber beading provided with an integral radial flange, which maybe either tapered or rectangular in cross section, and which flange may be reenforced by fabric incorporated in or applied exteriorly to said ange, the exterior surface of said beading being provided with an adherent coating of flock of any desired character, color and decoration, and in our earlier application, Serial No. 52,390, led November 30, `1935, for Upholstering beading, we have disclosed flexible beading as just characterized provided with a sponge rubber core orformed entirely of sponge rubber. Thereby,.

by eliminating the use of woven material, except as a reenforcement for the flange when desired, the beading is susceptible to considerable stretch, and it can therefore be bent at a relatively sharp angle and around curves of relatively -small radius without distortion or buckling because, unlike a continuous woven sheath, the adherent flock does not interfere with the extensibility of the beading or the relative stretching f the elements thereof when bent, while the de ired decorative effects can be obtained as readily as with woven material.

.The present application is a continuation in part of our foregoing two applications and contains claims generic to the structures therein disclosed.- l

The article of the present invention is capable of receiving a variety of .expressions and the method of the .invention is .capable of being carried out in a variety of ways. For purposes of illustration the preferred manner of procedure and two desirable embodiments of the resulting product are illustrated on the accompanying drawing and described hereinafter, but it is to be expressly understood that these embodimentsv have been selected `for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as a denition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

Referring in detail to the drawing, wherein the same reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures, and wherein the thicknesses of the layers, particularly in Figs. l, 2 and 3, have been exaggerated to facilitate a ready understanding thereof Fig. l is a fragmentary section-illustrating the backed rubber sheet;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section illustrating the backed rubber sheet afer the ock has been applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section illustrating the flocked sheet after the backing has been removed therefrom;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section illustrating the application of the flocked rubber sheet -to the rubber core;

Fig.` 5 is a perspective view of a fragment of the beading whose cross section is shown in Fig.`

4; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse section corresponding to Fig. 4 but illustrating an embodiment of the invention which includes reenforcement of the flange.

Although the drawing shows only fragmentary ,pieces of beading and its compdnent elements, it .is to be understood that the beading is produced commercially in continuous strips of any desired length so that pieces of the proper size for inf-Q35 stallation in any desired location may be cut from the strip as required. I In the manufacture of flexible beading in c onformity with the present inventionrubber of any suitablecharacter and quality is rst milled in any suitable way and then run through rolls and applied as a layer Ill of any suitable thickness to a continuous strip-like backing I l of fabric lor `sheet material of any suitable character that has been treated in any suitable way so that the rubber will not impregnate the same or adhere thereto but may be easily removed therefrom as hereinafter referred to. As the rubber is uncured at this stage, and as the thickness of rubber which it isdesired to use is relatively thin, the rubber cannot -be handled without distortion in the Aabsence of a backing and therefore the backing sheet is supplied as a carrier for the rubber until such time as the rubber has been cured.

A suitable rubber cement or solvent for rubber is then applied to the exposed face of the rubber sheet I0 and, as shown 'in Fig. 2, flock I2 is applied to the `cement-treated surface in any sultable way, as by va suitable flocking machine. Dur- 'ing the flocking operation the sheet is constantly beaten from the rear or fabric side thereof, or

the flock during application is subjected to the action of an air stream, to cause the flock to standupright on the rubber surface. Thereby to receive embossing which is materially superior If preferred the embossing or 'other decorating 2,171,728 to that which can be obtained from use of other wise completed beading with its curved surfaces and irregular shape. Moreover, as the rubber is uncured at this stage and therefore is semi-plastic and inelastic the flock takes a deeper and better impression under the action of the embossing rolls.

The sheet with its docked surface, with or without embossing depending upon the use to which the article is to be put, is then ready for curing, and the curing operation is carried out in any suitable oven, the length of time during which heat is applied thereto and the temperature to which the strip is subjected depending upon the character and quality of rubber being used as well` understood in the art. After the rubber has been properly cured the backing sheet li is removed therefrom (see Fig. 3), and the sheet is ready for application as a sheath to a core of any suitable size, shape and material.

step may be carried out after the curing of the sheet i0 and removal of the backing sheet H.

In conformity with the present invention the t core I3 (see Fig.y 4) is preferably formed as a continuous strip of sponge or other suitable softv rubber and is preferably solid in cross section although it may be made tubular in cross' sectionA The rear or unockedsurface of the sheet il is then treated with rubber cement. and the sheet is .wrapped around the core in any suitable way, as by forming rolls, to form the'body portion. causing the rubber sheath to adhere substantially throughout the circumferential extent of the core I3, with the overlapping portions I4,

united by the rubbercementat their inner coni tiguous faces, forming a nange which may be made of any suitable radial extent by suitabl determining the width of the sheet i.

In place of employing rubber cement throughoutthe width o! the sheet lll the cement may be applied only to one or both marginal portions thereof for substantially the width that is to constitute the ange, so that when the sheet is wrapped around the core the overlapping portions Il will be caused to adhere to constitute' the iiange but the core will be .unattached to the inner surface of the sheet I0.

Whether the sheet is to be attached to the 'core or not, the cement used-may be a suitable vslow vulcanizing cement that will not cause permanent adhesion until the lapse of 'a predetermined number Voi days sumcient to include the'time of installation of the-beading. 'Ihis enables a workman to separate thelayers of the flange and gain access to the core for the purpose oi ment will set and cause permanent adhesion. l.between the flange layers, end also with thwre i! the cement is coextensive with the inner face ftrimmer n 'u so be to um wr'e il or onlythe layers Il of the iiange are to be vulcaniaed together. the nal heat treatment for reiiliently against an`opposing surface to completing the curing or vulcanizing of either the core or the -sheet or both can be left to take place simultaneously with the vulcanizing of the sheet to the core or the flange layers together.

In order to reenforce the iiange so formed it y is sometimes desirable to employ a sheet of suitable fabric between the layers 44 of the iiange.

When this is desired a sheet of fabric i5 (see Fig. 6) may be previously or simultaneously applied along one or both edges of the rear face of the sheet so that when the sheet is wrapped around the core said fabric will lie between the layers I4 of the flange. The reenforcingstrip or strips may be of the same width as the flange or somewhat less or somewhat greater, but is substantially conned to said ilange though preferably projecting somewhat beyond the junction of the flange and body portion as shown. 'Thereby the flange is reenforced so as to minimize the likelihood of its being torn during attachment by tacks or the like.

Whether or not the flange is reenforced, stitchingor other means of attachment may be applied to the iiange if for any reason such is preferred as a substitute for or as an 'addition to the cementing together of the overlapping portion whether formed as an integral projectionJ from the core as -in our earlier applications above referredto or formed by overlapping portions of a rubber sheath wrappedaround a core, which is extensible and elastic or resilient throughoutthe body portion, avoiding all woven material in the body portion and, therefore capable of being easilystretched and bent without buckling or wrinkling, and which also provides a relatively elastically in position and yet is readily deformable to permit installation under the most exacting conditions.

Experience has demonstrated that an all rubber flexible beading including a cured rubber "sheath and a soft rubber core as herein disclosed .provides a flexible beading which is highly ilexible, and yet it is possessed of proper stiffness land 'wearing qualities because of the relative toughness of the outer cured-rubber layer. The beading as a whole may be stretched longitudinally `to a much greater extent than has been the case with exible -beadings employing layers of woven material because the flock cured 'to the rubber does not'oppose extension or bending of the rubber beading, and therefore the beading may be made `to follow irregular contours and bend around relatively sharp curves and angles with- V'stiff resilient flange that holds the body portion out buckling or wrinklin'g. 'I'he flange, being of v rubber and integral with the body portion, af- 'fords suillcient stillness to'facilitate installation and yet it can be readily flexed as required bythe exigencies of installation, and additionally reacts on the bodyportion to urge the latter assist iillealinglgainstwiniraimeto.

.The manner of .production assures a surface which is attractive in appearance and which can be made of any suitable-color to harmonize with thesurroundings in which it 'isto be placed. and

where surface Vornmnentation is desired the man- 76 embossing or other decoration of the surface so as to provide sharply cut gures in the surface a flange connected thereto and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and a core of penetrable material owing to the manner in which the flock is made to adhere to the surface of the rubber in a Arelatively upright position and embossed while the backing is still in a soft and impressionable condition. 'I'he production of the flexible beading can be carried out expeditiously and economically because the operations are simple in character, and hence the methodof the present invention lends itself readily to quantity production without requiring unusual or highly expensive equipment, highly skilled labor, etc.

v While the preferred procedure and certain preferred embodiments of the article of the present invention have been described with considerable particularity, it is to be expressly understood 'that the invention is not to be restricted thereto,

as other procedures and structures embodying the invention will now readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, andv it is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the details of structure and procedure without departing from the spirit of this invention. It is also to be understood that the beading may be made of any desired size, diameter, width of ange, etc., and the body may be given other shapes than circular in cross section, depending upon the use to which the flexible beadingis to be put. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims fora definition of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A flexible beading comprising a body portion having'a flange formed integrally therewith and extending radially outwardly therefrom, both said body portion and flange being made of rubber, said flange having a. strip of penetrable reinforcing material centrally disposed and substantially confined therewithin for increasing the resistance thereof to rupture and tearing.

2. lA flexible beading comprising a body por tion having a flange formed integrally therewith and extending radially outwardly therefrom, both said body portion-and flange being made of rubber and havinga permanently adhering coating of fibrous material, saidflange having a reinforcing'strip of fabric material substantially confined therein.

' 3. Aflexible beading comprising a body portionhaving a flange formed integrally therewith and extending longitudinally thereof and radially outwardly therefrom, both said body portion and flange being made of rubber, and a reinforcing core of fabric material centrally disposed .portion and rsaid flange being made of rubber,

and penetrable reinforcing means associated only with said flange for increasing the resistance thereofto tearing.

5. A flexible beading comprising a strip of ilexireinforcing material substantially limited to said flange.

6. A flexible beading including a hollow rubber body portion which is extensible by reason of the absence of a woven fabric surrounding the same, said body portion having formed integr y therewith an' outwardly projecting flange also f rubber, and said flange only having a reinforcement of fabric associated therewith.

7. A flexible beading comprising a cylindrical rubber body member which is solid in cross section and which is extensible by reason of the,

absence of woven fabric surrounding said body member, an integral rubber flange extending radially therefrom and adapted to be inserted into small-crevices, and a covering of flock directly and permanently adherent to said body member and flange, said flange being of such rigidity as to yieldingly resist distortion out of its normal radial position.

8. A flexible beading comprising a cylindrical rubber body member which is solid in cross section and which is extensible by reason of the absence of woven fabric surrounding said body member, a 4rubber flange extending radially therefrom and adapted to be inserted into small crevices, said flange being of such rigidityas to yieldingly resist distortion out of its normal radial position, and reinforcing means associated only with said flange.

9. A flexible beading strip whose extensibility is unrestrained by woven fabric about the body thereof,'said strip including a soft rubber core,y

a sheath of harder rubber enclosing the same and having its edge portions secured together to provide a flange, and reenforcing means extending only between the portions of said flange.

10. A flexible beading strip whose extensibility is unrestrained by woven fabric about the body thereof, said strip including a longitudinally extensible and elastic body portion and a resilientV `longitudinal flange portion extending radially interposed between the layers of said flange but within said flange and substantially confined\ ble material having a tube-like body portion and not surrounding said core and constituting reenforcement for the flange.

12. A flexible beading strip whose extensibility is unrestrained by. woven fabric about the body thereof, said strip including a body portion composed only of a soft rubber core and a sheath of rubber having flock material directly adherent to the outer face thereof, said sheath having at least one edge portion reenforcedv with fabric and said edge portions secured together to pro-l vide a longitudinal flange for said beading.

BERNARD J. LEE; HENRY GoRA. 

